Shri Virupaksh Mahadev Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore. The district page gives the drive to that airport as about 1 hour 30 minutes, or 138.9 km.

• By train

  Ratlam Railway Junction is the nearest junction, about 20 km away. It is a major junction on the Delhi-Mumbai and Ajmer-Khandwa rail routes.

• By road

  The temple is about 18 km from the district headquarters at Ratlam, in Bilpank village.

Why devotees come here

Shri Virupaksh Mahadev Temple stands in Bilpank village, about 18 km from Ratlam town, in the north-west of Madhya Pradesh. The district government lists it as a historic and religious site. Its architecture mixes Paramar, Gurjar and Chalukya styles, and it stands on 64 pillars.

Bilpank is a village in Ratlam district, in the north-west of Madhya Pradesh. Ratlam is one of the important districts of the state. The district government lists Shri Virupaksh Mahadev Temple as a historic and religious site. Its architecture is described as a unique mix of the Paramar, Gurjar and Chalukya styles, and the Chalukya part is linked to Gujarat.

The temple has three main parts: a sanctum (garbhagriha), an antechamber (ardha-mandapa) and an assembly hall (sabha mandapa). Four smaller shrines stand at the corners of the main temple. A Mauryan-era pillar in the assembly hall is cited as evidence that the temple was built in that period. The temple has 64 pillars, but local belief holds that they cannot be counted accurately.

Raja Siddharaj Jaysingh of Gujarat renovated the temple in Samvat 1198, while returning from conquering the Malwa region.

Tips for your visit

• Look for the Mauryan-era pillar in the assembly hall, which the district page cites as evidence of early construction.
• Walk around the main temple to see the four smaller shrines at its corners.

Questions people ask